12 · SPEC Kit 294
ing in digitization activities was a strategic goal of
the library.
In addition to being one of the instigating fac-
tors in many libraries’ decision to begin digitizing
library materials, improving access to the library’s
collection was cited by all of the respondents as an
ongoing purpose behind these efforts. Other pur-
poses that were highly ranked by respondents are
support for research (85%), preservation (71%), and
support for classroom teaching (70%). For a smaller
number (24 or 36%), the purpose of their efforts is
to support distance learning. Several respondents
reported that promoting the library and its collec-
tions was also a reason to participate in digitization
activity.
Only four libraries reported that their digiti-
zation activities are solely ongoing functions the
great majority (60 or 91%) reported that their digiti-
zation efforts are a combination of ongoing library
functions and discrete, finite projects.
Staffing
The survey asked whether staff efforts for selecting
material, digitizing material, creating metadata,
and administering digitization activities are cen-
tralized in one unit or distributed across the library.
The majority of the responding libraries distribute
some or all digitization activities across various li-
brary units only five appear to have a totally cen-
tralized organizational structure. Material selection
is distributed across the library organization at 50
of the responding institutions (76%) and central-
ized at 10 (15%) six respondents (9%) report both
structures. Material digitization is decentralized at
37 institutions (57%), centralized at 20 (31%), and
eight respondents (12%) report both structures.
Metadata creation is distributed at 45 institutions
(68%) and centralized at 12 (18%), while nine (14%)
report both structures. Administration is more
evenly divided, with 29 respondents (45%) indicat-
ing that it is centralized and 30 (46%) that it is dis-
tributed six (9%) report both structures.
Centralized units that manage digitization ac-
tivities are, in the majority of cases, specifically
designated digitization units with names such as
“Digital Initiatives Program” or “Digital Library
Center.” In other cases, the centralized unit is the
special collections library or department (13%), or
the preservation department (9%). In most cases,
the head of the centralized unit reports to a high-
level library administrative officer such as an assis-
tant or associate library director (38%), or reports
directly to the library director (30%).
Survey respondents were asked to indicate the
names of units in which specific digitization ac-
tivities (material selection, material digitization,
metadata creation, and administration) take place.
The units with primary responsibility for material
selection are, unsurprisingly, collection develop-
ment and special collections. Material digitization
occurs in preservation and special collections units,
as well as in units designated specifically to sup-
port digital initiatives. Even in those libraries that
have a unit designated to support digitization ac-
tivities, material digitization often occurs in other
units in addition to that unit. Metadata creation
is also widely distributed, although cataloging,
metadata, and technical services units were indi-
cated by two-thirds of the respondents. Other units
responsible for metadata creation are digitization,
special collections, and other public services units.
Surprisingly, the word metadata only appeared in
five of the unit names reported. Administration
is the most centralized of the functions and is the
least likely to be distributed over a second or third
unit. The digital library program was most often
mentioned as the administrative unit, followed by
archives/special collections, systems, preservation,
and library administration.
Decisions about the allocation of staff support
for digitization efforts are likewise widely distrib-
uted across the library. They are made most often
by the heads of the centralized units (64%) or a dig-
itization team, committee or working group (55%).
Heads of cataloging, collection development offi-
cers, and bibliographers also share this responsibil-
ity at a number of libraries. In only two cases do the
library business office staff have this responsibility.
ing in digitization activities was a strategic goal of
the library.
In addition to being one of the instigating fac-
tors in many libraries’ decision to begin digitizing
library materials, improving access to the library’s
collection was cited by all of the respondents as an
ongoing purpose behind these efforts. Other pur-
poses that were highly ranked by respondents are
support for research (85%), preservation (71%), and
support for classroom teaching (70%). For a smaller
number (24 or 36%), the purpose of their efforts is
to support distance learning. Several respondents
reported that promoting the library and its collec-
tions was also a reason to participate in digitization
activity.
Only four libraries reported that their digiti-
zation activities are solely ongoing functions the
great majority (60 or 91%) reported that their digiti-
zation efforts are a combination of ongoing library
functions and discrete, finite projects.
Staffing
The survey asked whether staff efforts for selecting
material, digitizing material, creating metadata,
and administering digitization activities are cen-
tralized in one unit or distributed across the library.
The majority of the responding libraries distribute
some or all digitization activities across various li-
brary units only five appear to have a totally cen-
tralized organizational structure. Material selection
is distributed across the library organization at 50
of the responding institutions (76%) and central-
ized at 10 (15%) six respondents (9%) report both
structures. Material digitization is decentralized at
37 institutions (57%), centralized at 20 (31%), and
eight respondents (12%) report both structures.
Metadata creation is distributed at 45 institutions
(68%) and centralized at 12 (18%), while nine (14%)
report both structures. Administration is more
evenly divided, with 29 respondents (45%) indicat-
ing that it is centralized and 30 (46%) that it is dis-
tributed six (9%) report both structures.
Centralized units that manage digitization ac-
tivities are, in the majority of cases, specifically
designated digitization units with names such as
“Digital Initiatives Program” or “Digital Library
Center.” In other cases, the centralized unit is the
special collections library or department (13%), or
the preservation department (9%). In most cases,
the head of the centralized unit reports to a high-
level library administrative officer such as an assis-
tant or associate library director (38%), or reports
directly to the library director (30%).
Survey respondents were asked to indicate the
names of units in which specific digitization ac-
tivities (material selection, material digitization,
metadata creation, and administration) take place.
The units with primary responsibility for material
selection are, unsurprisingly, collection develop-
ment and special collections. Material digitization
occurs in preservation and special collections units,
as well as in units designated specifically to sup-
port digital initiatives. Even in those libraries that
have a unit designated to support digitization ac-
tivities, material digitization often occurs in other
units in addition to that unit. Metadata creation
is also widely distributed, although cataloging,
metadata, and technical services units were indi-
cated by two-thirds of the respondents. Other units
responsible for metadata creation are digitization,
special collections, and other public services units.
Surprisingly, the word metadata only appeared in
five of the unit names reported. Administration
is the most centralized of the functions and is the
least likely to be distributed over a second or third
unit. The digital library program was most often
mentioned as the administrative unit, followed by
archives/special collections, systems, preservation,
and library administration.
Decisions about the allocation of staff support
for digitization efforts are likewise widely distrib-
uted across the library. They are made most often
by the heads of the centralized units (64%) or a dig-
itization team, committee or working group (55%).
Heads of cataloging, collection development offi-
cers, and bibliographers also share this responsibil-
ity at a number of libraries. In only two cases do the
library business office staff have this responsibility.
